Binani’s Acceptance Speech: Arise TV Anchor, Rufai Oseni Tackles NBC Over NTA’s Action

Arise TV anchor, Rufai Oseni has tackled the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for not “fining” the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) after broadcasting an “illegal acceptance speech” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Aisha Dahiru Binani.

Rufai called out NBC on its Twitter handle on Tuesday.

Kanyi Daily recalls that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Hudu Yunusa Ari caused a  controversy when he announced Binani as the winner of Saturday’s April 15th supplementary election over the incumbent Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ari’s declaration was despite the fact that INEC was yet to receive results from 10 out of the 20 local government areas where the election was held.

Binani immediately held a press conference televised live by NTA where she read out her acceptance speech.

Following the controversial announcement, INEC immediately summoned Ari to Abuja and declared his announcement null and void and an usurpation of the powers of the collation and returning officer.

Reports say before the collation was suspended on Saturday night, results from 10 LGAs had been announced with Fintiri leading and Binani trailing behind.

According to reports, the collation of results from the remaining 10 LGAs was expected to commence by 11 am on Sunday, and Mele Lamido, the returning officer for the Adamawa governorship election, was not present when Ari announced Binani as the winner of the election.

Lamido, according to the constitution, is the rightful official with the power to declare the winner for the poll.

In Rufai’s tweet, the Arise TV anchor asked why NBC has not fined the NTA for televising Binani’s speech.

“A state broadcaster took an illegal acceptance speech and NBC hasn’t fined them or petitioned them?” he asked.

It could be recalled that NBC in recent times, fined Arise and Channels TVs for committing different infractions.

It is also understood that both the NTA and the NBC are institutions of the federal government of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, INEC on Tuesday evening, declared incumbent Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri as the winner of the Adamawa State Governorship Election.

The Returning Officer, Muhammed Melee, declared Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the poll as he polled 430,861 votes to defeat his major contender, Aisha Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 398,788.